Land Clearing Open Burn Information

DEC manages open burns to minimize health impacts from smoke and keep Alaska’s air clean. Open burning regulated by DEC includes agricultural / development land clearing fires, land management fires, incinerators that do not meet emission standards in 18 AAC 50.050, and fire fighter training with fuel and structures. This page only pertains to land clearing open burns.

You need a black smoke approval permit from DEC if you intend to burn petroleum-based materials, asphalt, rubber products, or other materials in a way that gives off black smoke.

Questions about the DEC application process should be directed as follows:

Northern Alaska: 907-451-5173

Southern / Southeast Alaska: 907-465-5117

If you are planning on burning, or clearing and burning less than 40 acres in a year, including burn piles and/or yard burns, you need a permit from the DNR Division of Forestry

Before you burn, determine if any burn suspensions or air quality advisories apply to your area. Open burning is prohibited during Forestry Burn Suspensions and Closures, DEC Air Quality Advisories, and local government burning suspensions.